Name: David McCarthy
A.K.A. Macca
Place of Birth: Warragul, Australia
Occupation: Senior Manager, Corporate Communications. I manage internal and external communications for Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, smart, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Freightliner, Sterling and Fuso in Australia Pacific
Employer: DaimlerChrysler Australia/Pacific Pty Ltd
Year, Make and Model of your first car/truck:
1962 Austin Freeway, a six cylinder compact car unique to Australia. It belonged to my school teacher and only cost me $200. I tried to kill it for three years but was unable to!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Motoring Journalist
How long have you worked in the auto industry?
10 years as a radio, magazine,newspaper,internet and television journalist. The transition to automotive public relations has been remarkably easy.
What do you drive now?
A silver Mercedes-Benz AMG E63, and I own a modified 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata. My partner drives a Mercedes-Benz A200 Turbo (not sold in the USA)
Are you out at work?
Yes
Was being gay ever an issue at any of your jobs?
Yes.
If so, how did you deal with it?
Demonstrating by behaviours and work ethic that I was no different to everyone else. Peoples fears and misconceptions about GLBT people need to be assauged.
If you had one piece of advice to give to a gay person wanting to work in the auto industry, what would it be?
Be proud of who and what you are, equality sometimes has to be fought for. Stand up and be counted, invisibility does not help gain acceptance and understanding.Apart from being a very dark place the closet is also a pretty lonely place.
Ok, here is the fun part; if you had $25,000 and had to buy a new car, what would it be and why?
Smart Fortwo Cabrio
Same question but bigger budget – $50,000:
2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata SP, it is a (unique) australian turbo version with 230HP. An absolute ripper of a car
If money was no object and you had to drive it every day:
Any AMG 63
What is your favorite car of all time and why?
Plymouth Superbird, because it’s such an ‘out there’ car
If your car/truck could talk, what would it say about you?
“Why do you drive me so hard?”